Penn United Technologies named Butler County Employer of the Year

Penn United Technologies named Butler County Employer of the Year

At its December Board meeting, the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. presented an Employer of the Year Award in Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana Counties for employers who have significantly contributed to the workforce development system within the region. This award highlights the collaboration of business and workforce development in the three counties. All three companies have significantly contributed to building a skilled workforce.

Penn United Technologies, Inc. is the recipient of the Butler County Honor. They began in 1971, when machinists Carl Jones, Robert Becker, and Charles Barton opened a small tool-and-die shop. Now the company has 735 employee-owners who provide manufacturing solutions for customers needing precision components or precision-assembled products. Above all, Penn United is founded on its core values of integrity. In addition, Penn United has L.I.G.H.T., the Learning Institute for the Growth of High Technology which is a manufacturing training center. began to assess, design, and develop manufacturing training programs to meet the needs of customers, employees, and community members. From state approved journeyman programs to advanced manufacturing courses, learning is an important core value of the company. The company has had over 400 employees complete various apprenticeship programs throughout the years. On September 26, 2018, Penn United was awarded the Outstanding Individual Apprenticeship Program Award at the PA Department of L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office Apprenticeship Summit.

Penn United also offers state registered pre- apprenticeship programs. Penn United uses this training model to offer manufacturing-based training to their local community. The Acquiring Technical Skills (SATS) Program offers high school students the opportunity to do portions of Penn United’s apprentice related technical instruction at their home school and then come to Penn United’s training facility to receive additional hands-on training. Another community-based pre-apprenticeship training program is the Basic Manufacturing Skills program, designed for adults who are unemployed, underemployed, returning Veterans, or other people interested in a career change. Penn United is fully committed to changing the meaning of career readiness at the high school and college level offering a Manufacturing Career Skills class to alternative education students at a local high school and a Hand Tool course designed to give students with disabilities employment and independent living skills by teaching them how to safely and appropriately use common hand tools.

Penn United Technologies, Inc. is a true community partner. Their community outreach is evident in its extensive involvement in the local Manufacturing Industry Partnership, in promoting manufacturing careers at local high school career/job fairs, in serving on advisory councils for surrounding school districts, in-person presentations at the PA CareerLink® in Butler County, and in its training for members of the community. Penn United Technologies, Inc. believes that by investing in their community they will continue to grow and prosper.

The Tri-County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (TCWIB) is a consortium serving the counties of Armstrong, Butler and Indiana. TCWIB provides key policy decisions affecting the local workforce development system and certifies the Pennsylvania CareerLink® centers. In addition, TCWIB provides Title I services to Adults, Youth, and Dislocated Workers through its Title I service providers. The goal of the programs is to increase employment, retention, earnings, and occupational skill attainment of the participants who receive services.